WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race

Vet Checks (Mandatory all Teams)

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Join us, for the WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race Vet Checks.  See our canine veterinarians perform comprehensive veterinarian examinations on all of the four-legged competitors.  Each and every dog (610 dogs) must be fully examined and ruled fit to run the race by our Veterinarians.  The Vet Checks draw large crowds, as this is the first chance for spectators to meet the human and canine competitors.  This is a free family event, dress warm and don't forget to bring your camera. 

The Adventure's Gala (Mandatory all Mushers)

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6-Dog Race Start

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♦  Where:   Ely

Cheer on all of the 6-Dog teams as they start a exciting day of racing!  Arrive early, meet the mushers and their canine athletes, and stake out a good spot to watch all the action.  Watch the 6-Dog teams rocket out of the starting chute for the 30-mile race.  The first team leaves the start line at exactly 9:00am followed by subsequent teams every 2 minutes.  The race start is a great photo opportunity, so bring your cameras.  We still need volunteers for Race Start dog crews!

6-Dog Race Finish

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♦  Where:  The Civic Center, Tower, MN.

Join hundreds of spectators in downtown Tower as we cheer for the finishers of the 6-Dog race.  The city of Tower opens the Civic Center early Sunday providing a place for spectators to warm up and get some food.  Volunteers from Tower and city officials go all out to provide a fun and festive atmosphere for everyone.  Shortly after the last 6-Dog team arrives, the awards ceremony for the 6-Dog race begins in the Civic Center.  The room is packed with spectators, media, and competitors awaiting the announcement of who will be the WolfTrack Classic 6-Dog Champion.

10-Dog Race Start

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♦  Where:   Ely

Join hundreds of race fans at Miners Dr. to watch the 10-Dog teams blast out of the starting chute for the long and grueling 130-mile race.  The first team leaves the start line at exactly 3:00pm followed by subsequent teams every 2 minutes.  Arrive early, meet the mushers and their canine athletes, and stake out a good spot to see all the action.  We still need volunteers for Race Start dog crews!

10-Dog Race Checkpoints

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♦  Where:  Downtown Tower - The Depot, Civic Center & Iron Ore Bar, and Cook

Cheer on your favorite musher in the 10-Dog Race at one or all of the checkpoints!  Follow the teams from checkpoint to checkpoint!!  Each musher in the 10-Dog race is required to take a total of eight (8) hours rest throughout the race at one or more of the checkpoints.  Each musher will chose where and how much they want to rest at each checkpoint as part of their overall race strategy. The checkpoints are Tower, MN (outbound), Cook, MN (turnaround), and again Tower, MN (inbound).  Hot food and drinks will be available at all of the checkpoints.

 

The checkpoints are a great place to see the mushers and teams up close.  Watch as the teams come into the checkpoint, get bedded down, fed and sleep.  Cheer the teams on as they leave the checkpoint for the next leg of the race.  We do ask that quiet be maintained in the checkpoints as the mushers and dogs are resting.

 

We can expect to see the first 10-dog teams into Tower shortly after 5:00pm Sunday night.  Some may rest here for a few hours, and some will push on to Cook to rest there.  A large portion of the 10-Dog Race will be run at night, and I cannot even guess when we will see the first mushers arrive at Cook or show up back at Tower.  Much of this depends on the weather, trail conditions, and musher strategy.  Stay tuned to the race on Facebook, we will be posting unofficial race news and information there as it happens.

10-Dog Race Finish

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Join hundreds of spectators, media, and race officials as they anxiously await to see what team crosses the finish line first in the 10-Dog Race.  My guess is the first team will cross the finish line sometime after 7:30am.  But, show up early in case I am wrong!  The 10-Dog Race Awards Ceremony will be at the race finish line.  Check the website home page for updates or any changes.

Other Good Race Viewing Areas

♦  Bearhead State Park - Take Hwy 169 about 12.5 miles west of Ely to County Road 128, go south approximately 4 miles to where the Taconite trail crosses County Road 128.  You will know when you have reached the crossing, as Wolftrack Classic staff and emergency vehicles will be parked along the road.  All vehicles must have a State Park vehicle permit, a day pass can be purchased for only $5.00 at the Rangers Office.  Both the 6-dog teams and the 10-dog teams will cross here.

  Tower Area

♦  Murray Road - From Tower, travel approximately 4.25 miles east on Hwy 169. Turn right (south) and continue until trail intersects.

♦  Thompson Farm Road - From Tower, travel approximately 2.1 miles east on Hwy 169.  Turn right (south) and continue until trail intersects.

♦  Highway 135 - In town of Tower. (just west of Tower Checkpoint)

♦  Koshi Road - From the "Y Store" (Hwy 169 & Hwy 1) travel 1/2 mile west on Hwy 169.  Turn right on Koski Road and continue until trail intersects.

♦  Highway 1 - From the "Y Store" (Hwy 169 & Hwy 1), travel west approximately 2.5 miles on Hwy 1 to trail intersect.

♦  Lost Lake Road - From the "Y Store" (Highway 169 & County Road 77), travel west on County Road 77 approximately 1 1/2 miles to Lost Lake Road. Turn left and travel 1 mile to the trail intersect. The crossing is at the intersection of Lost Lake, Holsten and Roberts Roads.

 Cook Area

♦  Highway 115 - From Cook, travel east on Hwy 115 approximately 8.8 miles until the trail intersects.

♦  River Street North & 2nd Street N.E (Cook) - The railroad crossing at Homestead Mills is where the teams will arrive.  Teams will sign in with our Checkers and Timers upon arrival.